News Summary

Residents and visitors in Downtown Myrtle Beach have been left without a full-service grocery store for almost five years, following the pandemic-induced closure of Food Lion. City leaders are actively exploring solutions to attract new grocery options and improve accessibility. The city is gathering public feedback via a community survey to better understand local needs as they work towards addressing this food desert issue.

Downtown Myrtle Beach Faces Grocery Store Shortage as City Explores Solutions

Downtown Myrtle Beach has been without a full-service grocery store within walking distance for nearly five years, a situation that has left residents, vacationers, and business owners facing limited food options. The closure of the Food Lion off Highway 501 during the pandemic significantly exacerbated this problem, creating a notable gap in available grocery services.

The closest grocery option for downtown residents is a Piggly Wiggly located on Kings Highway, which is approximately a 20-minute walk from the heart of downtown. Other alternatives, such as the Walmart Neighborhood Market and Walmart on Seaboard Street, are located around a 40-minute walk away, further complicating access to essential food items for local residents.

Efforts to Address the Grocery Gap

In response to this pressing issue, city leaders are actively seeking solutions to attract grocery stores and other retail services back to downtown Myrtle Beach. Devin Parks, the director of economic development, is collaborating with retail strategists and recruitment firms to engage small businesses and investors who can help fill the void left by the former Food Lion.

The city’s initiative includes exploring opportunities to develop vacant buildings and empty lots within downtown, aiming to enhance the shopping experience for both residents and visitors. As part of this effort, public feedback is being gathered through a community survey designed to assess downtown needs and future developmental goals. This survey is open until next Thursday, allowing the community to voice their opinions on what types of businesses, including grocery stores, are most desired.

Impact of Limited Grocery Access

Local business owner Kensey Muller has noted the strong demand from customers for a grocery store in downtown Myrtle Beach, especially among vacationers who often find themselves without quick access to food supplies. He emphasizes that providing a grocery store would not only assist long-term residents but also enhance the overall experience for visitors to the area.

Future Developments on the Horizon

Looking ahead, the new property owner of the former Food Lion site is said to be working on updating the site for future leasing opportunities. However, no specific plans have been confirmed yet regarding a new grocery establishment in that location. City officials remain hopeful that with continued collaboration and community involvement, a solution will soon be found that meets the grocery needs of downtown residents and visitors alike.

The lack of a grocery store in downtown Myrtle Beach poses a significant challenge for its residents and visitors. As city leaders take proactive steps to address this issue, the outcome of the community survey and discussions with potential retail investors could pave the way for a more sustainable and accessible grocery solution in the near future.

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Additional Resources

• WMBF News: Myrtle Beach Community Pushes for Downtown Grocery Store
• Myrtle Beach Online: Downtown Grocery Store Initiative
• My Horry News: Boulineau’s Business Success Story
• ABC News 4: New Grocery Store Opening in Mount Pleasant
• MSN: Grocery Stores Open July 4th Around Myrtle Beach
• Wikipedia: Grocery Store
• Google Search: Myrtle Beach Grocery Store
• Google Scholar: Grocery Stores in Myrtle Beach
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Grocery Store
• Google News: Myrtle Beach Grocery Store

Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH

The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.